Search - Mr. Smith Goes to Washington on DVD

Amazing movie and stands the test of time

O. Rios | Texas | 07/27/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"i finally got around to seeing Mr. Smith goes to Washington (i bought the movie over a year ago) and i'm glad i did. The film is one of the finest ever and was miles ahead of it's time (1939).

An empty Senatorial seat has become available after the death of the incumbent Senator, and the Governor of the state is battling the Taylor political machine for the appointment. After not going over well in his state with his alleged first pick, the Governor is confronted by his kids during dinner about picking the leader of the Boy Rangers (kinda like today's boy scouts), Jefferson Smith. After flipping a coin, which lands leaning up against a newspaper, the Governor sees the paper and reads an article about Jefferson Smith and finally decides to appoint him as the next Senator.

The point of the pick was that Smith was inexperienced and would only be a pawn to whatever they wanted, instead what they got was a bug-eyed, kid in the candy store who believes and lives by the very foundation and ideas of the country. Smith is given a quick rundown by his secretary, Clarissa Saunders, who believes that Jefferson Smith is just a ploy to the Taylor political machine, only to realize that Smith is in fact sincere, honest, and completely blind to the politicalness of Washington.

Smith tries to get a bill passed that would allow the Federal Government to buy 200 acres of land in his home state for the Boy Rangers who would in turn pay back the loan. Problem is that the proposed land is future home to a dam that is going up to benefit the Taylor political machine, and what begins is the raw and brutal first hand Washington political eduation for Jefferson Smith.

Overall, the movie is AMAZING. I cannot stress this enough. The movie was miles ahead of it's time, and the American ideas put forth in the Bill of Rights and Constitution that a government of, for, and by the people rings in hopes that american idealism and patriotism and not political machines is what makes this country great.

I recommend this film to any classic movie fan, political buff, or to any high school and middle school teachers who want to showcase the american dream and idea that one man can make a difference."

A great movie

C. L. Strout | Mountain View, AR USA | 05/14/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A good movie...gives you an idea of the political machine. How it can be so corrupt...but good wins over evil. Very patriotic...brings the love of our country to the everyday person. A movie to have in your library!"

A MUST SEE FOR EVERY AGE

denelle m. manick | TRAVERSE CITY | 04/21/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"ONCE AGAIN THIS MOVIE SHOWS WHAT REAL ACTORS CAN CRAFT WITHOUT SPECIAL EFFECTS. STEWARD AND ARTHUR HITS IT OUT OF THE PARK WITH THEIR SECOND PERFORMANCE TOGETHER(1).YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU)IN "MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON". FRANK CAPRA SHOWS THE GOOD AND THE BAD AND HOW THE GOOD DOES WIN BUT NOT ALWAYS AS YOU THINK IT WILL. CAPRA AND STEWART ARE ONE OF THE GREAT WORKING TEAMS THAT HAVE COME OUT OF HOLLYWOOD."